AutoCADPlant 3D

Quick Reference Guide

AutoCAD Plant 3D is speci�cation-driven software for creating 3D models of process plant components. You can route pipe, add equipment and other components, and include support structures.

Within AutoCAD Plant 3D, underlying data is directly exchanged between the 3D model, P&IDs, isometrics, and orthographics to ensure that information is consistent and up-to-date.

What is AutoCAD Plant 3D?

Concepts & TermsAn overview

ProjectManager

DataManager

PlaceholderPart

Part

Project.xml

*.dwg

*.dcf

*.pspx *.pspc

*.pcat

Custom Part

Central hub for all drawings, specs, and data; you always work within a project

Table containing all project or drawing data. You can manipulate this data directly

A component that is temporarily used in the model until the part is added to the spec

Piping Component

The project �le

A Plant 3D model or P&ID drawing

Data cache �les; e.g., piping.dcf

Spec �le (pair)

Catalog �le

A component that is not in a piping spec

NavigationGet around your model

Tool Palette

View Cube

Change display

Workspace switching

Project Manager

New drawingSpec ViewerView a spec andcreate a tool palette

Ribbon tabs containcommands for major tasks Help

The Drawing WindowUnderstand the User Interface

Using the Project Manager

You can create new drawings, open existing drawings, link or copy �les to the project folders, and create a project

To create a project drawing:1. In the Project Manager, right-click Plant 3D Drawings and click New Drawing 2. In the New DWG dialog box, enter the drawing number, author, drawing title, and �le name3. Click OK

Quick Tips - Right-click a node to see a list of useful commands- Create and organize folders to your project requirements- To work with referenced drawings, copy or link them here

Creating Tool Palettes

Tool Palettes are the primary way to place valves and other �ttings in your piping model; click an item in a tool palette and then click in the model to place it

Quick Tip- In the Spec Viewer, click Insert in Model, Add to Tool Palette or Create Tool Palette

Getting StartedA Quick Tutorial

Step 1: Open AutoCAD Plant 3D

Step 2: Create a project drawing - Project Manager > Plant 3D Drawings > New Drawing - Enter info > OK

Step 3: Create Structure - Ribbon > Structure tab: - Grid > Create - Settings > member info > Select - Member > place and align with grid - Repeat for stairs, ladders, etc.

Step 4: Create Equipment - Ribbon > Home tab > Create Equipment - Select component, specify shape and nozzle info - Create and place in model

Step 5: Route Piping - Ribbon > Home tab > drop-down lists: - Line Number - Spec - Ribbon > Route Pipe - Click points in model; press ENTER to �nish

Step 6: Insert a Valve or Fitting - Tool Palette or ribbon > Home tab > Spec Viewer - Select valve > Insert in Model - Place in model

Step 7: Create Isometric Drawings - Ribbon > Isos tab > Create Iso > Production Iso - Specify project line numbers, Iso type, and output settings - Create Iso

Step 8: Create Orthographic Drawings - Ribbon > Home tab > Create Ortho View - Select ortho drawing > OK - Select a view, adjust the scale and view extents > OK - Place view on Ortho drawing

Want More Information?

Q&A Forums: autodesk.com/autocadexchange-plant autodesk.com/autocadplant3d-discussion

Online Help: autodesk.com/autocadplant3d-help

Autodesk Consulting: autodesk.com/consulting

AutoCADPlant 3D

Quick Reference Guide

Routing PipeA general overview

These panels contain the pipe-routing tools: Part Insertion, Compass, Elevation & Routing, and Slope.

Before Routing Pipe

Size and spec drop-down lists

Before routing pipe, you choose its size and spec. The spec controls: - Connection types (FL, BW, SW, THD, and so on) - Flange ratings, facings (150# RF, 300#, PN10, and so on) - Default branch types (tees, stub ins, SOL, WOL, and so on) - Valve types allowed (Gate, Globe, Check, and so on)

On the ribbon, click Route Pipe to start routing in the model.

Select Specs and Sizes Before Routing

- Pipelines are organized by line number - Line numbers are required when generating ISOs - You can set up a separate layer for each line number, and piping components are automatically placed on these layers

Line Numbers

If you use the Continuation grip, the compass starts by displaying the elbows available in the current UCS plane. It uses the elbows from the current pipe spec. If you have

45-degree elbows in your spec, the compass displays them. Otherwise, the compass displays tick marks at 90 degrees. If you want to route straight ahead, you can pick a point or enter a distance.

Use the Compass

Routing PipeA general overview continued

When you are �nishing a pipe route, it’s often di�cult to directly line up the �nal connection. A routing assistant is available. You can connect to an existing component, and then right-click and choose from multiple possible routes.

Quick Tips: - To change the plane, press P for Plane, and toggle through the three orthogonal planes. (You can also press CTRL + right-click.) - At any time, you can switch viewports to change a view direction - To undo while routing, press U

Routing Assistant

1. In the Spec Viewer, in the Spec Sheet, click a valve. Click Insert in Model. 2. If the insertion point is not located at the desired port, press CTRL. The port aligns with piping �ow, regardless of which port you use. 3. Hold down SHIFT and right-click in the drawing area, click From. 4. Hold down SHIFT and right-click in the drawing area, click Node. 5. Click to specify a point on a �tting. 6. Hold down SHIFT and right-click in the drawing area, click Nearest. 7. Move your mouse over the header to display the osnap glyph (do not click). You are now tracking down the pipe. 8. Enter a distance to create the branch (for example: 48). 9. Press ENTER to �nish adding values.

Tip: If you see the message No Endpoint found for speci�ed point when using the Near object snap, you can increase aperture size or zoom out. To snap correctly, the Nearest osnap glyph must be visible when the mouse is directly over the pipe center line.

To Insert Valves at a Precise Distance

Continuation Starts or continues routing pipe

Flip Flips a component in opposite direction

Substitution Displays a list of components that can be substituted for the original

Elevation Moves pipe up/down to set elevation

Move/Stretch Moves a component; stretches an existing pipe

Rotate Displays the compass so you can rotate the component

Quick Tips - Pipe & Component Grips

- To remove a selected �anged valve without removing connecting �anges, press CTRL+Del - To change the routing plane, press and hold CTRL and right-click in the drawing area - To substitute a bolt set, hold CTRL and select the red circle of a �anged connector - To orbit the 3D model, press and hold SHIFT+ mouse wheel - To change the compass plane while routing, press CTRL+ right click

Quick Tips - Routing Shortcut Keys

- To reconnect piping, use Connect Component to Adjacent from the pipe’s shortcut menu - When assigning a line number to piping, �rst use Append to Selection > Connected Parts > All Connected Parts from the pipe’s shortcut menu

Quick Tips - Routing Right-Click Menus

- Use object snap when connecting pipe - Use Node object snap to connect to open nozzle or piping ports - Use the From object snap to place a valve a precise distance from a �tting

Quick Tips - Using Snaps While Routing

Edit Data in the Data ManagerMake changes to your model data

You can enter, view, edit, and report on information for components and lines in a drawing. The Data Manager is ideal for viewing and editing multiple rows of data at one time. You can also export items to Microsoft Excel® and modify data there.

Modeling EquipmentA general overview

With equipment, you have 3 choices: - Use pre-de�ned equipment types, such as pumps - Build equipment using provided shapes - Build custom equipment from AutoCAD solids or surfaces

Using the Create Equipment dialog, you can set up your equipment by class (for example: Pump > Centrifugal Pump).

Once equipment has been placed, your can add or change nozzles by clicking any Add Nozzle grip.